A local Catholic school scholarship-granting foundation has named a former business consultant and school advancement director its new president.

“Jean is a proven leader who brings an impressive track record of success at every stage of her career,” said Karen Rauenhorst, chair of the Aim Higher Foundation board, in a statement. “Her experience and remarkable results-oriented approach to leadership come to our mission at a crucial time.”

Houghton brings to the position experience as a business consultant at the McDonald’s Corporation and as director of advancement at St. Agnes’ School in St. Paul, where she has worked with enrollment, donor relations and a capital campaign.

Houghton lives in St. Paul with her husband and is a St. Agnes parishioner. Their three adult children attended Catholic schools.

“I am honored to accept this invitation to join the Aim Higher Foundation,” Houghton said in a statement. “And I am deeply humbled to serve both this mission and the thousands of children who experience the transformative effects of a Christ-centered education because of the scholarships the foundation provides. I look forward to working with the board, the donors and the broader community to expand this important work.”

The Aim Higher Foundation provides need-based scholarships to students attending Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. It has granted more than $3 million in scholarships to more than 4,300 students since 2012.